In this courageous conversation, Allison Kilfoy shares her personal journey from experiencing severe health issues to being diagnosed with cancer at a young age. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, seeking second opinions, and finding a supportive care team.

The discussion also delves into the significance of understanding one's body, particularly regarding hormones, and the need for women to share their stories and support each other. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the power of words, the importance of listening, and the resilience required to champion oneself through life's challenges.

🔗 Book Allison as a Speaker!

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8. In this episode of Words Are Life, we sit down with Martina Barksdale, a multimedia powerhouse and Director of Communications for VisitLEX. From acting in New York City to hosting Everyday Kentucky on WKYT, Martina has dedicated her career to storytelling—shining a light on culture, community, and the voices that often go unheard.

Martina opens up about her journey as a Black woman in media, navigating an industry where representation matters but isn’t always present. She shares the pivotal moments that shaped her perspective—the realization of what it truly means to show up in spaces that weren’t always designed for her and how she’s used her platform to challenge the status quo.

But beyond storytelling, Martina embodies the audacity to create—to build spaces of inclusion, acceptance, and belonging where marginalized communities don’t just exist but thrive. She shares how a little bit of delusion, boldness, and unwavering belief fuels her drive to disrupt norms, amplify Black voices, and cultivate spaces that shift culture. Through projects like SoulFeast Week, she’s proving that representation isn’t just about visibility—it’s about ownership, celebration, and impact.

Join us for a powerful conversation about breaking barriers, trusting your vision (even when others don’t see it), and creating the world you want to see. Martina’s insight, passion, and fearless creativity will leave you inspired to own your story, take up space, and move forward with audacity.

Follow Martina: @martibarksdale
Learn more about SoulFeast Week: soulfeastweek.com

In this deeply personal episode, Jess shares her version of the love story that changed everything—how she met her wife, the journey of self-discovery before finding love, and the voids she once tried to fill. Through raw storytelling, she reflects on who she was before, the lessons she learned, and the words she wishes she could have told herself back then.

If you’re seeking love, discovering your identity, or longing for reassurance that your story is still unfolding, this episode is for you. Jess writes a heartfelt love letter to her past self, and maybe, just maybe, to you too.

Connect with Jess on Instagram: @jessupchurch.